‎jsmash’s reviews • Letterboxd
  • The Fall Guy

    The Fall Guy

    ★★★★½

    Even better the second time!

    The "Against All Odds" sequence is FABULOUS

    Gosling gives a PERFECT movie star performance in this movie, and Blunt is just as delightful as always

    So many fun little comedic details to pick up on a second viewing

    As good as a summer blockbuster can be!

  • The Fall Guy

    The Fall Guy

    ★★★★

    A wonderful tribute to filmmaking and stunt performers that is also a fabulous private detective/romantic comedy story with GREAT action scenes!

    Gosling and Blunt are at their most charming and this is EASILY David Leitch’s most accomplished film as a director.

    I’ll very likely be seeing it again in the theater.

  • Little Women

    Little Women

    ★★★★★

    Why didn't I watch this thing sooner???

    WONDERFUL

    A warm snifter of brandy in movie form!

  • Challengers

    Challengers

    ★★★★★

    I didn't watch it again, but having sat on it for a few days since I've seen it, I think it might be the best theatrical experience I have had since TOP GUN: MAVERICK.

    Justin Kuritzkes' script is fabulous, and the film in general is a perfectly overheated magic trick.

    FANTASTIC

  • Challengers

    Challengers

    ★★★★½

    YEAH!!!! (10x)

    I know the joke has been made, but seriously, I haven't been this thrilled coming out of a theater in a while!

    Zendaya better get a freakin' Oscar nomination, as should Reznor & Ross!

    O'Connor really impressed me for my first viewing of him, and Faist really proves himself after a breakout performance in West Side Story!

    Propulsive, funny, intense, sensual, and again, THRILLING!!

    I'm going to sit on it to see if there is a change from 4.5 to 5, but chances might be pretty good.

  • Broadcast News

    Broadcast News

    ★★★★★

    Three spectacular performances plus Robert Prosky AND Joan Cusack? Check!
    Fabulous screenplay? Check!
    Jerry Espenson in a movie? Check!
    Jane Craig becoming an all-timer movie crush? Check!
    Jack Nicholson's entrance being basically what if Jack Nicholson himself walked into the room? Check!
    The Tom crying plotline being one of the best twists I've seen in a movie in recent memory? Check!
    Prepping for CHALLENGERS tomorrow and this is the only love triangle movie I own? Check!

    Holy crap, what an amazing movie! 

  • The Beekeeper

    The Beekeeper

    ★★★½

    Had to watch it again!

    The absolute best-case scenario for a B(ee)-Movie like this.

  • Civil War

    Civil War

    ★★★★½

    A disturbing warning cry for our country if there ever was one.

    Also, a really involving, well-drawn riff on Heart of Darkness by way of war photography.

    Dunst, Moura, and Spaeny are terrific, and Jesse Plemmons gives the best one-scene performance I have seen in VERY long time.

    I really hope Alex Garland doesn't retire from directing...

  • Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

    Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood

    ★★★★★

    A party of a movie if there ever was one!

    Rowdy, sensitive, tense, and hilarious.

    DiCaprio, Pitt, Robbie, and Qualley are just amazing, but I think Dakota Fanning is ridiculously underrated in this movie.

    The soundtrack is one of my very favorites.

    I adore this thing!

  • The New World

    The New World

    ★★★★½

    My first Malick! (Specifically, the 172-Minute Director's Cut)

    Q'orianka Kilcher....WOW

    As the two men in her life, Colin Farrell is excellent in an incredibly complex role, filled with love but also some very clear shades of darkness within him. Christian Bale, on the other hand, is pure grace as maybe the safest, warmest human being he has played.

    Emmanuel Lubezki and James Horner are LIGHTS OUT

    It's a film of unrelenting beauty, and sometimes the deliberate pace wore on me, but it always brought me back in with the impeccable yet otherworldly sense of place, great performances, and the astounding filmmaking.

  • Baby Driver

    Baby Driver

    ★★★★★

    The first rewatch of many of this movie that I'm logging here.

    Pure pleasure from front to back.

    The Barry White needle drop is absolutely inspired!

    Elgort's not a great actor, and kinda persona non grata, but this is BY FAR his best piece of screen work ever.

    I just love this movie so much

  • About Time

    About Time

    ★★★★

    I went into the movie expecting a sweet romantic comedy...

    ...I left the movie a snotty mess, wanting to go hug my dad.

    Nice trick, Richard Curtis.